WASHINGTON — Since the beginning of the year, notable dates like Groundhog Day and Valentine’s Day have passed, and with them, the memory of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s last regulation loss. Unbeaten since January, the Lightning have become the NHL’s most formidable team, with an impressive eight-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents by a significant margin of 34-13. This formidable streak highlights the strength of their lineup, especially with elite goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy leading the charge. As the team is four years past their consecutive Stanley Cup victories, they’ve shown all the signs of being poised for another deep playoff campaign this spring.
“We’re often recognized for our offensive prowess, but our recent success is built on defense,” Coach Jon Cooper stated, following their 3-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. “To secure our playoff chances and ultimately win, this defensive approach is essential.”
A key component of this streak is Vasilevskiy, the 2019 Vezina Trophy recipient and 2021 playoff MVP. He has been integral, securing wins in all eight games with a stellar goals-against average of 1.63 and a save percentage of .945, surpassing his performance during their Cup-winning years. Forward Mitchell Chaffee remarked, “With the best goalie in the world, playing in front of him is straightforward.”
Tampa Bay’s skaters are also contributing significantly, adopting a stringent, tight-checking style that limits quality scoring chances against them. Captain Victor Hedman, who was the 2020 playoff MVP, echoed this sentiment: “Defense wins championships. We’ve eased the task for him (Vasilevskiy), making it difficult for opponents to create prime opportunities, leading to our offensive chances.”
This defensive approach has coincided with offensive productivity. Brandon Hagel, alongside Cooper, Brayden Point, and Anthony Cirelli, basking in the success of the 4 Nations win with Canada, has tallied goals in all eight games, contributing eight goals and six assists. Nikita Kucherov, finishing as the runner-up MVP this past season and the 2019 Hart Trophy winner, is in the middle of a ten-game scoring spree.
“It’s rare to see him off the scoresheet,” Cooper said. “His understanding of play in various situations and his full-ice game is crucial right now.”
In their latest triumph against Washington, a shutout was barely missed as Alex Ovechkin launched a perfectly screened shot past Vasilevskiy, marking his 884th career goal, moving him closer to Wayne Gretzky’s record. Ovechkin acknowledged the challenge posed by Vasilevskiy, noting, “When he sees the puck, it’s nearly impossible to score against him.”
As the streak, beginning on February 4 against Ottawa, features 125 blocked shots, the team has embraced the required physicality. “Guys are fully committed, blocking shots, staying defensively sound. It’s a joy to be part of this,” veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh noted. McDonagh, who tied for the league lead in plus-minus, has seamlessly reintegrated into the team after a stint with Nashville.
Hedman emphasized how this buy-in from all players has made them comfortable even in close, low-scoring games. Cooper added that establishing leads lets them dictate the pace without the anxiety of constant catch-ups.
A quarter of the season remains, and if Tampa Bay mirrors this performance during the playoffs, the Stanley Cup could very well remain in Florida, following the Panthers’ victory last year. “Becoming complacent is not an option,” Hagel emphasized. “There’s still a lot to play for, and we can’t afford to relax.”
